Ecomodding my winter beater: a unicorn no-rust (*) 2000 Chevrolet Metro 1.0 5-spd

[MetroMPG]

How did you un-seize the brakes?

[Frank Lee]

Upon first becoming aware of the problem I pulled in to a convenience store and found even the lugnuts on one wheel too hot to touch. Jacked it up, removed nuts... couldn't get wheel off no matter how vigorously it was kicked. Wandered around looking for a heavy object to use as a sledge hammer; found big rip-rap rocks in a ditch. WHAM! That did it. Walked to a nearby residence and borrowed a big screwdriver; pried caliper open enough for free disc rotation (wimpy wet noodle Metro tools weren't up to that job). Got 30 miles down the road before some turd made me slam on the brakes; stuck again. Made it to a Menard's, jacked it up again, had to do both fronts this time in the 97 degree heat. Went in and bought a big C-clamp to free up the discs but found that even after many cycles of freeing-up/applying the brakes improvement was minimal. Freed them up and continued on... of course there was another turd that necessitated brake application so I did what I'd been dreading thus far: tried the e-brake. Not only did it stop well, IT RELEASED when released! So the next 300 miles were completed with downshifting and e-brake only.


Full service in process at home.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Upon first becoming aware of the problem I pulled in to a convenience store and found even the lugnuts on one wheel too hot to touch. Jacked it up, removed nuts... couldn't get wheel off no matter how vigorously it was kicked. Wandered around looking for a heavy object to use as a sledge hammer; found big rip-rap rocks in a ditch. WHAM! That did it. Walked to a nearby residence and borrowed a big screwdriver; pried caliper open enough for free disc rotation (wimpy wet noodle Metro tools weren't up to that job). Got 30 miles down the road before some turd made me slam on the brakes; stuck again. Made it to a Menard's, jacked it up again, had to do both fronts this time in the 97 degree heat. Went in and bought a big C-clamp to free up the discs but found that even after many cycles of freeing-up/applying the brakes improvement was minimal. Freed them up and continued on... of course there was another turd that necessitated brake application so I did what I'd been dreading thus far: tried the e-brake. Not only did it stop well, IT RELEASED when released! So the next 300 miles were completed with downshifting and e-brake only.


Full service in process at home.

And this is precisely why I use the parking brake every single time I park, no matter what, so I know it will work if I need it in an emergency.

[Frank Lee]

Good policy especially here in the Rust Belt. I am guilty of not exercising them... and suffering the consequences of finally using them and finding they don't release.

This car had been parked several years and has serious rust issues so I was loathe to try the e-brake out on the road like that; figured when THAT stays locked up it would be much harder to deal with than the calipers.

[MetroMPG]

Understandable reluctance!


But I would have bet it would have worked - I've not seen a seized/broken cable on these cars. Unusually well-designed part?

I had to use my e-brake when the hydraulic brake line started leaking not that long ago. But I use it regularly, so I knew it was going to work

[Frank Lee]

It added three hours of Macgyvering fun to the trip. I was such a sweaty, dirty mess... and then there was the 300 miles in that heat with no a/c. Good times.

[Shaneajanderson]

Yeah after sitting I can see why you wouldn't want to try it. I would add a grease job for that cable to your list just for good measure.

Why no ac? did that quit at the same time or you just don't have it?

[Frank Lee]

It has no a/c and 99% of the time that's how I like it.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

It has no a/c and 99% of the time that's how I like it.

Gotcha. I see you're 'up north' as am I so I know what you mean. My Metro has a stuck ac compressor I've thought about fixing, and neither front window works quite right. I got the passenger side to where it won't fall out of the track but I'm guessing there's a bend in the mechanism somewhere because the last 3 inches are really hard to roll up, and I couldn't get the screws out at the bottom to get the regulator out. haven't had time to tackle the driver's side but I'm sure I'll end up with the same issue there.

Both back windows work great though

[MetroMPG]

Glad you got your windows working... can you crank them all from the driver's seat? :-)

Summer's here. I installed my AC:


The MPGiata is coming out of storage today, on the road next week. I will not miss driving the Metro, aside from its easy-peasy 70 MPG at this time of year.